Draft California 2024 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 8 - Santa Ana Region

Water Body Name: Goldenstar Creek
Water Body ID: CAR8012600020080924025347
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
149146
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2037
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

The State Water Board’s Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the “ISWEBE Plan”) contains two bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use, which were adopted on August 7, 2018. Because the salinity level of this waterbody is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the E. coli bacteria objective applies. Therefore, this waterbody is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy using the E. coli objective.

A total of four (4) lines of evidence of E. coli data were evaluated for this waterbody. Of these lines of evidence, two (2) are based on historic E. coli collected prior to 2010. Two (2) are based on recent E. coli data, collected since 2010, and compared to the newer E. coli bacteria water quality objective.

In accordance with section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy, data should be representative of the critical timing that the pollutant is expected to impact the waterbody. Indicator bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, enterococci) populations may fluctuate substantially on a daily, seasonal, or yearly basis. Lacking constant inputs, they do not persist in the environment for a long period and effects are of relatively short duration. As a result, the historic levels of indicator bacteria in the waterbody may be a poor indicator of current risks to human health, particularly when more recent data are available to sufficiently assess the water quality standard. Unrepresentative data may result in incorrectly placing or not placing a water body segment on the list, which could result in the unnecessary expenditure of public resources or failure to address a human health risk. The two (2) historic lines of evidence were evaluated pursuant to these considerations and were not used to assess water quality standards attainment because they do not meet the temporal representation requirements of section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy.

The two (e) recent E. coli lines of evidence were relied upon to assess water quality standards attainment in this waterbody. The data were collected from 2010-2020. There are adequate data to determine beneficial use support in accordance with the Listing Policy.

Five out of five samples exceed the 6-week E.Coli Geomean objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:

1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.

2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.

3. Five out of the five samples exceeded the E. coli Geomean Objective and this does exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.

4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

From the 2010 listing cycle:

USEPA Final Approval Decision Details:

The November 12, 2010 USEPA partial approval letter and the October 11, 2011 final approval letter both from Alexis Strauss, USEPA Region 9, to Tom Howard, SWRCB, concluded the following:

USEPA added Goldenstar Creek to the list of water quality limited segments requiring a TMDL for indicator bacteria. This water body is designated as a Water Contact Recreation (REC1) water body either explicitly or implicitly as tributaries to other designated segments (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, Table 3-1, pp.3-23 - 3-35).

The Santa Ana Basin Plan has the following water quality objective for fecal coliform to protect REC1 beneficial use:

Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9)

Recent monitoring data collected in this water body measures Escherichia coli (E. coli) indicator bacteria. E. coli is one species within the broader category of fecal coliform bacteria and monitoring data for E. coli can be used to evaluate whether the fecal coliform objective is being met in the subject water body.

In addition, USEPA has recommended that California use USEPA's Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (1986) when there is no adopted E. coli standard. Specifically, USEPA recommends that for REC1 beneficial use the following criteria be used:

Steady state geometric mean indicator density - 126 indicator densities/100ml Designated beach area (upper 75% confidence limit) - 235 indicator densities/100ml (EPA, 1986, Table 4, pp.15)

USEPA compared the E. coli data for this water body to the Basin Plan's fecal coliform objective, as well as to USEPA's recommended E. coli criteria and the results were:

1. Nineteen of the 79 samples taken exceeded the USEPA E. coli criteria (235 org/100ml) and also the Basin Plan objective for fecal coliform (400 org/100ml).
All of the exceedances occurred at two sites Goldenstar 1 and 2 (gs1 and gs2)

For this water body segment sufficient exceedances of the fecal coliform objective and the USEPA recommended criteria exist to merit listings per the 10% exceedance threshold for conventional pollutants expressed in Table 3.2 of the State Listing Policy.

For historical clarification, the Regional and State Water Board detailed decision recommendations made prior to USEPA's final decision are presented in their respective recommendation fields in this decision.

Note: All lines of evidence (LOEs) previously made by the Regional Boards have been revised where necessary in accordance with USEPA's final decision.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation: From the 2010 listing cycle:

USEPA Final Approval Decision Details:

The November 12, 2010 USEPA partial approval letter and the October 11, 2011 final approval letter both from Alexis Strauss, USEPA Region 9, to Tom Howard, SWRCB, concluded the following:

USEPA added Goldenstar Creek to the list of water quality limited segments requiring a TMDL for indicator bacteria. This water body is designated as a Water Contact Recreation (REC1) water body either explicitly or implicitly as tributaries to other designated segments (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, Table 3-1, pp.3-23 - 3-35).

The Santa Ana Basin Plan has the following water quality objective for fecal coliform to protect REC1 beneficial use:

Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9)

Recent monitoring data collected in this water body measures Escherichia coli (E. coli) indicator bacteria. E. coli is one species within the broader category of fecal coliform bacteria and monitoring data for E. coli can be used to evaluate whether the fecal coliform objective is being met in the subject water body.

In addition, USEPA has recommended that California use USEPA's Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (1986) when there is no adopted E. coli standard. Specifically, USEPA recommends that for REC1 beneficial use the following criteria be used:

Steady state geometric mean indicator density - 126 indicator densities/100ml Designated beach area (upper 75% confidence limit) - 235 indicator densities/100ml (EPA, 1986, Table 4, pp.15)

USEPA compared the E. coli data for this water body to the Basin Plan's fecal coliform objective, as well as to USEPA's recommended E. coli criteria and the results were:

1. Nineteen of the 79 samples taken exceeded the USEPA E. coli criteria (235 org/100ml) and also the Basin Plan objective for fecal coliform (400 org/100ml).
All of the exceedances occurred at two sites Goldenstar 1 and 2 (gs1 and gs2)

For this water body segment sufficient exceedances of the fecal coliform objective and the USEPA recommended criteria exist to merit listings per the 10% exceedance threshold for conventional pollutants expressed in Table 3.2 of the State Listing Policy.

For historical clarification, the Regional and State Water Board detailed decision recommendations made prior to USEPA's final decision are presented in their respective recommendation fields in this decision.

Note: All lines of evidence (LOEs) previously made by the Regional Boards have been revised where necessary in accordance with USEPA's final decision.
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 149146, Indicator Bacteria
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 21472
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 25
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Of the 25 samples taken by Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project, 0 exceeded USEPA's recommended single sample standard and also the Basin Plan fecal coliform objective.
These samples were from sampling station Goldenstar 3 (gs3).
Data Reference: USEPA Partial Approval Disapproval Letter and enclosures for California's 2008-2010 303(d) List
  USEPA Final Decision Letter with enclosures and responsiveness summary regarding waters added to California's 2008-2010 303(d) List
  Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project
  USEPA Region 9 data summary for addition of indicator bacteria to California 2010 303(d) list for some Santa Ana River - Region 8 water bodies
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: USEPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986: E. coli: log mean less than 126 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples per 30-day period, and single sample shall not exceed 235 organisms/100mL.

Santa Ana Region Basin Plan objective for Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin
Objective/Criterion Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were taken from the sampling station Goldenstar 3 (gs3) sample site.
Temporal Representation: The samples were taken monthly starting on October 29, 2002 through June 3, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is deemed appropriate because it was obtained under the auspices of a QAPP approved by the Regional Board.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 149146, Indicator Bacteria
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 301000
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: GeoMean
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Santa Ana River Regional Monitoring Program data for Goldenstar Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 5 of the 5 samples exceeded the geomean water quality threshold for E. coli. This is a six week rolling geomean that is calculated weekly.
Data Reference: Field, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial use for waters where the salinity is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time applies a rolling six-week geometric mean of E. coli, not to exceed 100 cfu/100 mL (ISWEBE 2018).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): P3-RC1 (Goldenstar Creek at Ridge Canyon Drive).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2016-11-04 and 2020-09-23 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: CDM Smith. 2019. Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 149146, Indicator Bacteria
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 301010
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: STV
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 8
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Santa Ana River Regional Monitoring Program data for Goldenstar Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 6 of the 8 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Field, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial use where the salinity is less than 1 parts per thousand 95 percent or more of the time applies a statistical threshold value to E. coli of 320 cfu/100 mL, not to be exceeded by more than 10 percent of samples within a calendar month (ISWEBE 2018).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): P3-RC1 (Goldenstar Creek at Ridge Canyon Drive).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2016-11-04 and 2020-09-23 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: CDM Smith. 2019. Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 149146, Indicator Bacteria
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 21471
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 54
Number of Exceedances: 19
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Of the 54 samples taken by Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project, 19 exceeded USEPA's recommended single sample standard and also exceeded the Basin Plan fecal coliform objective.
The exceedances occurred at both of the sampling stations: Goldenstar 1 and 2 (gs1 and gs2)
Data Reference: Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project
  USEPA Partial Approval Disapproval Letter and enclosures for California's 2008-2010 303(d) List
  USEPA Final Decision Letter with enclosures and responsiveness summary regarding waters added to California's 2008-2010 303(d) List
  USEPA Region 9 data summary for addition of indicator bacteria to California 2010 303(d) list for some Santa Ana River - Region 8 water bodies
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: USEPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986: E. coli: log mean less than 126 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples per 30-day period, and single sample shall not exceed 235 organisms/100mL.

Santa Ana Region Basin Plan objective for Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were taken at two sampling locations: Goldenstar 1 and 2 (gs1 and gs2)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected monthly starting with October 29, 2002 through June 3, 2004.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: The data's quality is deemed appropriate because it was obtained under the auspices of a QAPP approved by the Regional Board.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
153981
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
Pollutant: Benthic Community Effects
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects.

One line(s) of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data is/are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. One of one benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold. These data indicate that the waterbody is likely unimpaired for Benthic Community Effects and therefore no other pollutant LOEs need be associated with this decision at this time.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One of one benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79. Therefore, this water body is not exceeding the water quality threshold for the protection of the WARM beneficial use. The available information indicates that the waterbody/pollutant combination should not be placed on the 303(d) List of impaired waters at this time.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 153981, Benthic Community Effects
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 314248
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for 801M16861 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the threshold. CSCI scores were from 0.66175675 to 0.66175675.
Data Reference: California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) Scores for the 2024 Integrated Report for Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Inland surface water communities and populations, including vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species, shall not be degraded as a result of the discharge of waste. Degradation is damage to an aquatic community or population with the result that balanced community no longer exists. The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) is a biological scoring tool that helps aquatic resource managers translate complex data about benthic macroinvertebrates found living in a stream into an overall measure of stream health. The CSCI score is calculated by comparing the expected condition with actual (observed) results (Rehn, A.C. et al., 2015). CSCI scores range from 0 (highly degraded) to greater than 1 (equivalent to reference). CSCI scoring of biological condition are as follows (per the scientific paper supporting the development of the CSCI scoring tool): greater than or equal to 0.92 = likely intact condition, 0.91 to 0.80 = possibly altered condition, 0.79 to 0.63 = likely altered condition, less than or equal to 0.62 = very likely altered condition. Sites with scores below 0.79 are considered to have exceeded the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use.
Guideline Reference: Bioassessment in complex environments: designing an index for consistent meaning in different settings
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from station 801M16861.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 4/15/2015 to 4/15/2015.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data collected following SWAMP QA protocols.
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
133337
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 133337, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 237039
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 10
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Santa Ana River Regional Monitoring Program data for Goldenstar Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 10 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved oxygen content of surface waters shall not be depressed below 5 mg/L for waters designated WARM as a result of controllable water quality factors (Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana Basin, Chapter 4 Water Quality Objectives, Inland Surface Waters).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: P3-RC1 (Goldenstar Creek at Ridge Canyon Drive).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-11-04 and 2017-09-20
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: CDM Smith. 2019. Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 133337, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 237020
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Santa Ana River Regional Monitoring Program data for Goldenstar Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved oxygen content of surface waters shall not be depressed below 5 mg/L for waters designated WARM as a result of controllable water quality factors (Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana Basin, Chapter 4 Water Quality Objectives, Inland Surface Waters).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: P3-RC1 (Goldenstar Creek at Ridge Canyon Drive).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-07-21 and 2019-08-20
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: CDM Smith. 2019. Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program
 
 
DECISION ID
133339
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 133339, Temperature, water
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 237807
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Santa Ana River Regional Monitoring Program data for Goldenstar Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 13 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.
Data Reference: Field, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The temperature of waters designated WARM shall not be raised above 90 degrees F June through October or above 78 degrees F during the rest of the year as a result of controllable water quality factors (Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana Basin, Chapter 4 Water Quality Objectives, Inland Surface Waters).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: P3-RC1 (Goldenstar Creek at Ridge Canyon Drive).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-11-09 and 2019-08-20
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: CDM Smith. 2019. Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program
 
 
DECISION ID
133338
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 133338, pH
Region 8     
Goldenstar Creek
 
LOE ID: 237471
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Santa Ana River Regional Monitoring Program data for Goldenstar Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 13 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 8.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH of inland surface waters shall not be raised above 8.5 or depressed below 6.5 as a result of controllable water quality factors (The Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana Basin, Chapter 4 Water Quality Objectives, Inland Surface Waters).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: P3-RC1 (Goldenstar Creek at Ridge Canyon Drive).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-11-09 and 2019-08-20
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: CDM Smith. 2019. Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Santa Ana River Watershed Bacteria Monitoring Program